Reversible Case for an Electronic Device

ABSTRACT

A reversible case construction encases an electronic device and enables a user to selectively display an outer case material. The reversible case construction includes a device-holding mechanism, and a multi-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly. The device-holding mechanism is sized and shaped to removably receive an electronic device. The device-concealing panel assembly includes first and second material portions. The first and second material portions each include outer surfacing, a panel assembly-to-holder interface section, an interface-cover section, and a device-encasing section. The interface-cover sections and device-encasing sections are attached to one another for providing a reversible panel assembly. The reversible panel assembly is pivotal relative to the device-holding mechanism. Thus, the first and second material portions are selectively presentable for displaying the outer case material.

PRIOR HISTORY

This patent application claims the benefit of pending U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/954,519 filed in the United States Patent andTrademark Office on 17 Mar. 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosed invention generally relates to a case construction forencasing an electronic device such as a laptop type computer, tablettype computer or mobile communications device. More particularly, thedisclosed invention provides a reversible case construction for enablinga user to encase an electronic device and selectively orient an outercasing material for visual display.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Case constructions for use in combination with electronic devices suchas tablet type computers and the like are well known in this field ofart. While the basic function of a basic case construction is to protectand/or enclose the device it encases, the art continues to develop withan eye toward enhancing functionality of the case constructions so as toprovide the user with various means of manipulating and/orre-positioning the devices.

For example, it may be desirable to provide a case having first andsecond decorative case materials which can be selectively chosen tooutside orientation for providing passersby with visual and/or tactilesensory information from either of two decorative case materials whilesimultaneously protecting the encased device within or as attached tothe basal case construction. When the tablet computer or similar deviceis supported in its carrying case during use thereof, the multi-functionuse of the case provides great advantages for utility thereof, whilekeeping a structure for the improved use to a minimum.

It is further noted that tablet type computers and the like aremanufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes. Accordingly, it isbeneficial for a device mounting mechanism to adjust to the size and/orcontours of the respective device(s), while still providing the desiredholding and outer cover re-positioning capabilities. A few of the morepertinent prior art patent-related disclosures relating to cradle-likedevices for holding and enabling the re-positioning of the devices theyhold are described hereinafter.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0187696 ('696Publication), authored by Lanni, discloses a Cradle for Receiving anAdapter. The '696 Publication describes a cradle casing having a DC/DCadapter to receive DC power from a DC power source and generate a firstDC power signal. A sleeve accepts an AC/DC adapter, and guides movementof the AC/DC adapter when the AC/DC adapter is inserted into the cradlecasing. The AC/DC adapter is capable of receiving AC power from an ACpower source and generating a second DC power signal. A circuit receivesat least one of the first DC power signal and the second DC power signaland outputs a third DC power signal.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0002369 ('369Publication), authored by Carnevali, discloses a Portable Device DockingStation. The '369 Publication describes an external expanding apparatusor “docking station” operable with a portable computer device of a typehaving a display unit having a display screen on an inner surfacethereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotallymounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holesadjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surfacethereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back planethereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sidesthereof.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0261509 ('509Publication), authored by Xu et al., discloses a Docking Cradle withFloating Connector Assembly. The '509 Publication describes a dockingcradle for a portable electronic device that includes a floatingconnector assembly. The floating connector assembly isolates a portableelectronic device connected to the connector assembly from at least someof the shock, vibration or other motion imposed on the rest of thedocking cradle.

The connector assembly is positioned above a base frame and comprises aplatform, a device interface on the platform, a device securingmechanism connected to the platform and connectable to the portableelectronic device to physically secure the portable electronic device tothe connector assembly; and at least one connector assembly springconnecting the connector assembly to the base frame such that theconnector assembly is movable laterally relative to the base frame.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0075789 ('789Publication), authored by DeCamp et al., discloses a Swiveling Base fora Portable Computing Device. The '789 Publication describes certainswiveling bases for portable computing devices. A swiveling baseaccording to the '789 Publication includes a base member and a rotatablemember. The base member can be placed on a flat surface and rotatablysupports the rotatable member. The rotatable member releasably securesthe portable computing device and can rotate relative to the base memberto reorient a display of the portable computing device.

The swiveling bases may further include a control component disposed onthe base member. The control component is disposed on the base memberand facilitates user interaction with a computing application beingexecuted on the portable computing device. The control component may be,for example, a button, a joystick, a D-pad, a tactile sensor pad, atouch-sensitive D-pad, a spherical trackball, a slider, or a slidingdisk.

From a review of the foregoing citations in particular, and from aconsideration of the prior art in general, it will be seen that theprior art thus perceives a need for a reversible case construction forenabling a user to removably receive an electronic device as exemplifiedby a tablet type computer and selectively cover that removably receivedelectronic device with an encasing panel assembly with select surfacingof the case or cover construction being outwardly presented assummarized in more detail hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of areversible case construction for encasing and selectively covering anddisplaying an electronic device such as a notebook, laptop, or tablettype computer or similar device. These and other readily identifiableobjectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear byconsideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) aremet by providing a reversible case construction for an electronic devicethat cooperates with an electronic device for selectively displaying andencasing the same.

To achieve these and other readily identifiable objectives, the presentinvention provides a reversible case construction for encasing anelectronic device and selectively displaying an outer case material. Thereversible case construction according to the present inventionpreferably and summarily comprises a device-holding mechanism and amulti-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly.

The device-holding mechanism is preferably sized and shaped to removablyreceive an electronic device, and comprises an anterior device-receivingsection and posterior holder surfacing. The multi-layer, multi-sectiondevice-concealing panel assembly comprises a first material portion anda second material portion, the first and second material portions eachcomprising inner attachment surfacing, outer exposable surfacing, apanel assembly-to-holder interface section, an interface-cover section,and a device-encasing section.

The inner attachment surfacing of the interface-cover sections anddevice-encasing sections is attached to one another for providing areversible panel assembly. The inner attachment surfacing of the panelassembly-to-holder interface sections is attached to structureassociated with the device-holding mechanism for providing a bifurcatedinterface panel layer.

The reversible panel assembly is pivotal relative to the bifurcatedinterface panel layer about a first pivot axis located adjacent a lineof bifurcation in the bifurcated interface panel layer. The first andsecond material portions thereby are selectively presentable fordisplaying the outer case material.

The multi-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly maypreferably further comprise an interface structural layer, whichinterface structural layer is attached to the posterior holder surfacingand the inner interface surfacing for connecting the multi-layer,multi-section device-concealing panel assembly to the device-holdingmechanism.

The first and second material portions may preferably comprise differingphysical properties for enabling the user to select a preferred physicalproperty from the group consisting of the differing physical propertiesfor outward presentation of the preferred physical property. Moreparticularly, the first and second material portions comprise differingvisual properties, the differing visual properties for enabling the userto select a preferred visual property from the group consisting of thediffering visual properties for outward presentation of the preferredvisual property.

The panel assembly-to-holder interface sections may preferably comprisean interface magnetic material layer and the device-encasing sectionsmay preferably comprise an encasing magnetic material layer. Theinterface and encasing magnetic material layers are positionable so asto become substantially parallel, opposed and magnetically attractive toone another when the reversible case construction is in a closedconfiguration for enhancing the closed condition of the reversible caseconstruction.

The interface-cover sections may also comprise a cover magnetic materiallayer such that the cover and interface magnetic material layers arepositionable so as to become substantially parallel, opposed, andmagnetically attractive to one another for enhancing the closedcondition.

Select magnetic material layers are preferably embedded within the firstand second material portions, which select magnetic material layers areselected from the group consisting of the interface, device-encasing andcover magnetic material layers. The select magnetic material layers areso embedded for enhancing the visual appeal of the reversible caseconstruction.

The device-encasing sections preferably comprise first and second panelsections. The second panel sections are pivotal relative to the firstpanel sections about a second pivot axis extending intermediate thefirst and second panel sections. The pivotal first and second panelsections may thus form basal support for the device-holding mechanismand enable the user to support the device-holding mechanism in anoblique orientation relative to the first panel sections when thereversible case construction is in an open configuration.

In an alternative embodiment, the interface-cover sections are pivotallyattached to the panel assembly-to-holder interface sections at opposedattachment points opposite an interface section aperture. The interfacesection aperture is designed to accommodate a rotation mechanism, whichrotation mechanism rotatably connects the device-holding mechanism tothe panel assembly-to-holder interface sections.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features,elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparentfrom, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and objectives of my invention will become more evidentfrom a consideration of the following brief description of patentdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a first frontal perspective view of a preferred reversiblecase construction according to the present invention showing acradle-covering portion in a first open configuration to show a firstside of the cradle-covering portion.

FIG. 2 is a second frontal perspective view of the preferred reversiblecase construction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in a second open configuration to show a secondside of the cradle-covering portion.

FIG. 3 is a first edge view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in the second open configuration in solid linesand the cradle-covering portion in a series of intermediary openconfigurations between the second open configuration and the first openconfiguration in broken lines.

FIG. 4 is a third frontal perspective view of the preferred reversiblecase construction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in the second open configuration in solid linesand the cradle-covering portion in a series of intermediary openconfigurations between the second open configuration and the first openconfiguration in broken lines.

FIG. 5 is a first rear perspective view of a preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in the first open configuration and showing thesecond side of the cradle-covering portion.

FIG. 6 is a second rear perspective view of the preferred reversiblecase construction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in the second open configuration to show thefirst side of the cradle-covering portion.

FIG. 7 is a first frontal plan view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in the first open configuration to show thefirst side of the cradle-covering portion with first coloration depictedin a small circular section.

FIG. 8 is a second frontal plan view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in the second open configuration to show thesecond side of the cradle-covering portion with second colorationdepicted in a small circular section.

FIG. 9 is a rear plan view of a preferred reversible case constructionaccording to the present invention showing the cradle-covering portionin the first open configuration and showing the second side of thecradle-covering portion.

FIG. 10 is a second edge view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in a third open configuration in solid lines andthe cradle-covering portion in a series of intermediary openconfigurations between the third open configuration and a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of portions of theillustrative matter otherwise depicted in FIG. 10, enlarged for greaterclarity of said portions.

FIG. 11 is a third edge view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention showing thecradle-covering portion in the first open configuration.

FIG. 11A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lowermoststructures otherwise depicted in FIG. 11, enlarged for greater clarityof said structures.

FIG. 11B is an enlarged fragmentary sectional depiction of smallcircular depiction of the second coloration otherwise depicted in FIG. 7and FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is an enlarged fragmentary sectional depiction of smallcircular depiction of the first coloration otherwise depicted in FIG. 8and FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a posterior plan view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention showing the posteriorsurfacing of the reversible case construction in a first closedconfiguration.

FIG. 13 is an anterior plan view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention showing the anteriorsurfacing of the reversible case construction in the first closedconfiguration.

FIG. 14 is a first rear perspective view of a first alternativereversible case construction according to the present invention showinga first alternative device-holding mechanism and showing thecradle-covering portion in the second open configuration and showing thesecond side of the cradle-covering portion with first colorationdepicted in a small circular section.

FIG. 15 is a second rear perspective view of the first alternativereversible case construction according to the present invention showingthe first alternative device-holding mechanism and showing thecradle-covering portion in the first open configuration and showing thefirst side of the cradle-covering portion with second colorationdepicted in a small circular section.

FIG. 16 is a top edge view of the preferred reversible case constructionaccording to the present invention in the first closed configuration.

FIG. 16A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the leftmoststructures otherwise depicted in FIG. 16, enlarged for greater clarityof said structures.

FIG. 16B is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the center bottomstructures otherwise depicted in FIG. 16, enlarged for greater clarityof said structures.

FIG. 17 is a closed lateral edge view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention in the first closedconfiguration.

FIG. 18 is an open lateral edge view of the preferred reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention in the first closedconfiguration.

FIG. 19 is a lateral edge view of a diagrammatic reversible caseconstruction according to the present invention shown in a first opencondition of use.

FIG. 19A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the centerstructures otherwise depicted in FIG. 19, enlarged for greater clarityof said structures.

FIG. 20 is a first frontal perspective of a second alternativedevice-holding mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 20A is a second frontal perspective of the second alternativedevice-holding mechanism according to the present invention shownholding a generic electronic device.

FIG. 21 is a first frontal perspective of a third alternativedevice-holding mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 21A is a second frontal perspective of the third alternativedevice-holding mechanism according to the present invention shownholding a generic electronic device.

FIG. 22 is a reduced frontal plan view of a second alternativeembodiment of the reversible case construction according to the presentinvention in the first open configuration and showing a fourthalternative device-holding mechanism.

FIG. 23 is a reduced frontal plan view of a third alternative embodimentof the reversible case construction according to the present inventionin the second open configuration and showing a fifth alternativedevice-holding mechanism.

FIG. 24 is a reduced frontal plan view of a fourth alternativeembodiment of the reversible case construction according to the presentinvention in the first open configuration and showing the secondalternative device-holding mechanism.

FIG. 25 is a reduced frontal plan view of the first alternativeembodiment of the reversible case construction according to the presentinvention in the second open configuration and showing the firstalternative device-holding mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, the presentinvention preferably provides a reversible case construction asvariously exemplified by four exemplary embodiments as at primary orpreferred embodiment 10, and alterative exemplary embodiments 11, 12,13, and 14. The reversible case construction according to the presentinvention basically functions to (a) encase an electronic device asgenerically depicted and referenced at 110, and (b) enable a user toselectively display an outer preferred case material in a reversiblemanner as will be more fully understood from a consideration of thesedetailed descriptions.

To achieve these primary functions, the reversible case constructionaccording to the present invention preferably comprises a device-holdingmechanism as variously exemplified by a first fixed cradle constructionas at 15, a second fixed cradle construction as at 15′, a third fixedcradle construction as at 16, a rotatable cradle assembly as at 17, afirst universal device-holding board as at 18, and a second universaldevice-holding board as at 19. The first and second universaldevice-holding boards 18 and 19 are basically variants of the same typeof device-holding mechanism incorporating elastomeric material as at 20having variously shaped apertures 21 formed therein for forming straps55 that resiliently receive and retain corners 22 of an electronicdevice 110 for resiliently retaining or holding such a device 110.

Similarly, the first, second, and third fixed cradle constructions 15,15′ and 16 are basically variants of the same type of device-holdingmechanism incorporating or being formed from a relatively more rigidmaterial as compared to the elastomeric material 20 sized and shaped toreceive a specifically sized and shaped electronic device 110. Thecradle constructions 15, 15′ and 16 basically only differ structurallyin terms of where device-accommodating apertures or cut-outs 23 may bepreferably formed in the cradle construction 15, 15′, 16 for cooperatingwith various functional features of the electronic device 10 receivedthereby.

The device-holding mechanism according to the present invention, asvariously exemplified at 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, is preferably andessentially sized and shaped to removably receive and retain anelectronic device 110, and preferably comprises an anteriordevice-receiving section 24, posterior holder surfacing as at 25, aholder length as at 26 (extending in a top-to-bottom dimension), aholder width as at 27, and a holder thickness as at 28. Thedevice-holding mechanism according to the present invention may be ofany number of types of constructions and made cooperable with amulti-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly as at 30,which multi-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly 30 isbelieved central to the practice of the present invention.

The multi-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly 30according to the present invention preferably and essentially comprisesa first material portion or layer as at 31 and a second material portionor layer as at 32. The first and second material portions or layers 31and 32 each preferably comprise inner attachment surfacing 33, outerexposed or selectively exposable surfacing 34, a panelassembly-to-holder interface section as at 35, an interface-coversection as at 36, a holder-device edge-traversing section 37, and adevice-encasing section as at 38.

The inner attachment surfacing 33 of the interface-cover sections, theholder-device edge-traversing sections 37 and device-encasing sections38 are attached to one another for providing a reversible case panelassembly. The inner attachment surfacing 33 of the panelassembly-to-holder interface sections 35 are preferably attached tostructure associated with the device-holding mechanism for providing a(single) bifurcated interface panel layer as at 39.

The preferred structure associated with the device-holding mechanism maybe preferably defined by an interfacing panel assembly-to-holderstructural layer or board as at 40. Thus, the multi-panel, multi-layerdevice-concealing panel assembly 30 may be said to further preferablycomprise the interfacing panel assembly-to-holder structural layer orboard 40. The panel assembly-to-holder structural layer or board 40 isfixedly attached to the posterior holder surfacing 25 and the innerinterface surfacing 33 for connecting the multi-panel, multi-layerdevice-concealing panel assembly 30 to the select device-holdingmechanism. The interface structural layer or board 40 and panelassembly-to-holder interface sections 35 may also be outfitted withdevice-accommodating apertures or cut-outs 23.

The reversible panel assembly, comprising the noted sections or panelportions, is preferably pivotal relative to the bifurcated interfacepanel layer 39 about a first or primary pivot axis 100 basically locatedat or adjacent the line of bifurcation 101 in the bifurcated interfacepanel layer 39. Figure Nos. 3 and 4 attempt to depict the reversiblepanel assembly being rotated about the pivot axis 100 in various phantomstages for reversing the reversible panel assembly relative to thedevice-holding mechanism as exemplified by cradle 15.

Reversible properties are well known in the arts and typically providetwo finished usable sides or provide some article that is usable witheither of two sides in an outward manner. Accordingly, the first andsecond material portions 31 and 32 preferably comprise differingphysical properties, including but not limited to differing perceptuallytactile and visual properties for enabling the user to select apreferred physical property from the group consisting of the differingphysical properties for outward presentation of the preferred physicalproperty at any given time.

In this regard, the first and second material portions 31 and 32primarily and preferably comprise differing visual properties forenabling the user to select a preferred visual property from the groupconsisting of the differing visual properties for outward appearances.Comparatively referencing Figure Nos. 7, 8, 10A, 11A, 11B, 11C, 14, 15,16, and 16B the reader will there see depictions of vertical hatchmarkings as at 41 and horizontal hatch markings as at 42. Vertical hatchmarkings 41 represent a first group of physical (e.g. visual) propertiesand horizontal hatch markings 42 represent a second group of physical(e.g. visual) properties.

The vertical hatch markings 41 have been chosen to represent a firsttype of physical property only and should not be construed to embraceonly a first type of coloration characterized by red or pink under thecolor hatch marking examples of 37 C.F.R. 1.84(n). Similarly, horizontalhatch markings 42 have been chosen to represent a second type ofphysical property only and should not be construed to embrace only asecond coloration characterized by blue under the color hatch markingexamples of 37 C.F.R. 1.84(n).

As indicated, the first and second material portions 31 and 31 eachpreferably comprise a holder-device edge-traversing section 37. Theholder-device edge-traversing section(s) 37 are preferably dimensionedfor traversing the holder edge thickness 28 as well as the thickness ofthe panel assembly-to-holder structural layer or board 40 for enablingthe device-encasing section(s) 38 to more properly cover or encase theelectronic device 110 as received in the select device-holding mechanismwhen the reversible case construction is in a closed configuration asgenerally depicted in phantom in Figure No. 10, and as generally furtherdepicted in Figure Nos. 12, 13, and 16-18.

The panel assembly-to-holder interface sections 35 may furtherpreferably comprise an interface magnetic material layer as at 43 andthe device-encasing sections comprise an encasing magnetic materiallayer as at 44. The interface and encasing magnetic material layers 43and 44 are substantially parallel and opposed when the reversible caseconstruction is in the closed configuration and thus are magneticallyattractive to one another as at force vectors 102 for enhancing theclosed condition of the reversible case construction when in the closedconfiguration.

Similarly, the interface-cover sections 36 may further preferablycomprise a cover magnetic material layer as at 45. The cover andinterface magnetic material layers 45 and 43 are substantially parallel,opposed, and magnetically attractive to one another for enhancing theclosed condition of the reversible case construction when in the closedconfiguration. Arrows 103 in Figure Nos. 10 and 10A attempt to depict anattractive force between the interface magnetic material layer 43 of thepanel assembly-to-holder interface section 35 of the first materiallayer or portion 31 and the cover magnetic material layer 45 of theinterface-cover section(s) 36.

Figure Nos. 10 and 10A depict the reversible case construction in aprocess of being reoriented into the closed condition and thus the coverand interface magnetic material layers 45 and 43 are not yetsubstantially parallel but are opposed and magnetically attractive toone another as at arrows 103 for enhancing the closed condition of thereversible case construction when in the closed configuration. FigureNos. 16 and 16B may be thought of as depicting the panelassembly-to-holder interface section 35 of the first material layer orportion 31 magnetically attracted to the interface cover sections 36 viathe boundary 46 therebetween.

The various magnetic material layers 43, 44, and 45 are preferablyembedded within the first and second material layers or portions 31 and32 as variously depicted, thereby adding thickness to the first andsecond material layers or portions 31 and 32 and forming what appear tobe raised panel portions. Thus, the invention may be said to preferablycomprise select magnetic material layers embedded within the first andsecond material portions 31 and/or 32, which select magnetic materiallayers are selected from the group consisting of the interface,device-encasing and cover magnetic material layers 43, 44, and 45 forenhancing the visual appeal of the reversible case construction.

Perhaps most notably in this last regard, the device-encasing sections38 each preferably comprise a first or inner panel section as at 47, anda second or outer panel section as at 48. The second panel sections 48are preferably pivotal relative to the first panel sections 47 about asecond or secondary pivot axis as at 104 extending intermediate thefirst and second panel sections 47 and 48. The reader is directed toFigure No. 19, which figure more or less diagrammatically depicts areversible case construction in an open configuration such that thedevice-holding mechanism 15 is supported via the folded or pivotedreversible panel assembly of the reversible case construction.

In other words, the first and second panel sections 47 and 48 may thusfunction to form basal support for the device-holding mechanism (as at15 in Figure No. 19) for enabling the user to support the device-holdingmechanism in an oblique orientation relative to the first panelsection(s) 47 when in an open case configuration as generally depictedin Figure No. 19. Third and fourth or tertiary pivot axes as at 105 arelocated at the edges of and thus bound the holder-device edge-traversingsection 37 for enhancing the basal support functionality as depicted inFigure No. 19, and further for enabling full device enclose via thereversible panel assembly as generally depicted in Figure Nos. 10, 10A,and 16.

With regard to the rotatable cradle embodiment depicted and referencedat 12 in Figure Nos. 14, 15, and 25, the reader will see that theinterface-cover sections are slightly modified as compared tointerface-cover sections 36 and thus have been referenced at 36′. Thecover sections 36′ are pivotally attached to the panelassembly-to-holder interface sections 35′ at opposed attachment points50 opposite interface section apertures formed in the cover sections36′. The interface section apertures formed in the cover sections 36′coincide with apertures formed in the panel assembly-to-holder interfacesections 35′, and may be of any number of shaped formations.

A semi-circular formation as at 51 and a rectangular formation as at 52have been illustrated in the cover sections 36′ for the purpose ofexemplifying this concept. The semi-circular formation 51 and therectangular formation 52 coincide with semi-circular formation as at 53and rectangular formation as at 54 formed in the panelassembly-to-holder interface sections 35′. The formations hereexemplified are contemplated for structurally accommodating a rotationmechanism as at 49 rotatably attaching or connecting the device-holdingmechanism to the panel assembly-to-holder interface sections 35′(optionally via structural layer 40). Generally speaking thetop-to-bottom dimensions of the sections 35′, 36′ and 37′ are relativelyabbreviated as compared to sections 35, 36, and 37.

While the above descriptions contain much specificity, this specificityshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of the invention. The basic inventionmay be said to essentially teach or disclose a reversible caseconstruction for encasing an electronic device and selectivelydisplaying an outer case material. The reversible case constructionessentially comprises a device-holding mechanism or device-holding meanssized and shaped to removably receive and hold an electronic device.

The reversible case construction further essentially comprises adevice-concealing reversible panel assembly. The device-concealingreversible panel assembly comprises first and second material portions,each of which preferably comprise inner surfacing, outer surfacing, apanel assembly-to-holder interface section, an interface-cover section,and a device-encasing section. The inner surfacing of theinterface-cover sections and device-encasing sections are attached toone another.

The inner surfacing of the panel assembly-to-holder interface sectionsare attached to structure associated with the device-holding mechanismfor providing an interface panel layer. The reversible panel assembly ispivotal relative to the interface panel layer about a first pivot axislocated adjacent interface panel layer. The first and second materialportions are thereby being selectively presentable for displaying theouter case material.

The device-concealing panel assembly of the reversible case constructionmay further preferably comprise an interface structural layer. Theinterface structural layer is preferably attached to the device-holdingmechanism and the inner surfacing for connecting the device-concealingpanel assembly to the device-holding mechanism or means.

The first and second material portions of the reversible caseconstruction preferably comprise differing physical properties forenabling the user to select a preferred physical property from the groupconsisting of the differing physical properties for outwardpresentation. More particularly, the first and second material portionsmay preferably comprise differing visual properties for enabling theuser to select a preferred visual property from the group consisting ofthe differing visual properties for outward presentation of thepreferred visual property.

The panel assembly-to-holder interface sections may preferably comprisean interface magnetic material layer and the device-encasing sectionsmay preferably comprise an encasing magnetic material layer. Theinterface and encasing magnetic material layers are substantiallyparallel and opposed and magnetically attractive to one another when thereversible case construction is in a closed configuration for generallyenhancing the closed condition of the reversible case construction viamagnetically attractive forces between the magnetic material layers.

The interface-cover sections may also comprise a cover magnetic materiallayer such that the cover and interface magnetic material layers aresubstantially parallel, opposed, and magnetically attractive to oneanother for further enhancing the closed condition. Select magneticmaterial layers are preferably embedded within the first and secondmaterial portions for enhancing the overall visual appeal of thereversible case construction. The select magnetic material layers areselected from the group consisting of the interface, device-encasing andcover magnetic material layers.

The device-encasing sections may preferably first and second panelsections. The second panel sections are preferably pivotal relative tothe first panel sections about a second pivot axis extendingintermediate the first and second panel sections. The pivotal first andsecond panel sections may thus form basal support for the device-holdingmechanism and enable the user to support the device-holding mechanism inan oblique orientation relative to the first panel sections when thereversible case construction is in an open configuration.

In an alternative embodiment, the interface-cover sections arepreferably pivotally attached to the panel assembly-to-holder interfacesections at opposed attachment points opposite an interface sectionaperture. In this embodiment, the interface section aperture basicallyfunctions to accommodate a rotation mechanism, which rotation mechanismrotatably connects the device-holding mechanism to the panelassembly-to-holder interface sections.

Accordingly, although the inventive reversible case construction hasbeen described by reference to a number of embodiments, it is notintended that the novel case construction be limited thereby, but thatmodifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within thebroad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the followingclaims, and the appended drawings.

I claim:
 1. A reversible case construction for encasing an electronicdevice and selectively displaying an outer case material, the reversiblecase construction comprising: a device-holding mechanism, thedevice-holding mechanism being sized and shaped to removably receive anelectronic device, the device-holding mechanism comprising an anteriordevice-receiving section and posterior holder surfacing; and amulti-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly, themulti-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly comprising afirst material portion and a second material portion, the first andsecond material portions each comprising inner attachment surfacing,outer exposable surfacing, a panel assembly-to-holder interface section,an interface-cover section, and a device-encasing section, the innerattachment surfacing of the interface-cover sections and device-encasingsections being attached to one another for providing a reversible panelassembly, the inner attachment surfacing of the panel assembly-to-holderinterface sections being attached to structure associated with thedevice-holding mechanism for providing a bifurcated interface panellayer, the reversible panel assembly being pivotal relative to thebifurcated interface panel layer about a first pivot axis locatedadjacent a line of bifurcation in the bifurcated interface panel layer,the first and second material portions thereby being selectivelypresentable for displaying the outer case material.
 2. The reversiblecase construction of claim 1 wherein the multi-layer, multi-sectiondevice-concealing panel assembly comprises an interface structurallayer, the interface structural layer being attached to the posteriorholder surfacing and the inner interface surfacing for connecting themulti-layer, multi-section device-concealing panel assembly to thedevice-holding mechanism.
 3. The reversible case construction of claim 1wherein the first and second material portions comprise differingphysical properties, the differing physical properties for enabling theuser to select a preferred physical property from the group consistingof the differing physical properties for outward presentation of thepreferred physical property.
 4. The reversible case construction ofclaim 3 wherein the first and second material portions comprisediffering visual properties, the differing visual properties forenabling the user to select a preferred visual property from the groupconsisting of the differing visual properties for outward presentationof the preferred visual property.
 5. The reversible case construction ofclaim 1 wherein the panel assembly-to-holder interface sections comprisean interface magnetic material layer and the device-encasing sectionscomprise an encasing magnetic material layer, the interface and encasingmagnetic material layers being substantially parallel and opposed andmagnetically attractive to one another when the reversible caseconstruction is in a closed configuration for enhancing the closedcondition of the reversible case construction.
 6. The reversible caseconstruction of claim 5 wherein the interface-cover sections comprise acover magnetic material layer, the cover and interface magnetic materiallayers being substantially parallel, opposed, and magneticallyattractive to one another for enhancing the closed condition.
 7. Thereversible case construction of claim 6 wherein select magnetic materiallayers are embedded within the first and second material portions, theselect magnetic material layers being selected from the group consistingof the interface, device-encasing and cover magnetic material layers,the select magnetic material layers being so embedded for enhancing thevisual appeal of the reversible case construction.
 8. The reversiblecase construction of claim 1 wherein the device-encasing sectionscomprise first and second panel sections, the second panel sectionsbeing pivotal relative to the first panel sections about a second pivotaxis extending intermediate the first and second panel sections, thefirst and second panel sections for forming basal support for thedevice-holding mechanism and for enabling the user to support thedevice-holding mechanism in an oblique orientation relative to the firstpanel sections when the reversible case construction is in an openconfiguration.
 9. The reversible case construction of claim 1 whereinthe interface-cover sections are pivotally attached to the panelassembly-to-holder interface sections at opposed attachment pointsopposite an interface section aperture, the interface section aperturefor accommodating a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism rotatablyconnecting the device-holding mechanism to the panel assembly-to-holderinterface sections.
 10. A reversible case construction for encasing anelectronic device and selectively displaying an outer case material, thereversible case construction comprising: a device-holding mechanism, thedevice-holding mechanism being sized and shaped to removably receive anelectronic device; and a device-concealing panel assembly, thedevice-concealing panel assembly comprising first and second materialportions, the first and second material portions each comprising innersurfacing, outer surfacing, a panel assembly-to-holder interfacesection, an interface-cover section, and a device-encasing section, theinner surfacing of the interface-cover sections and device-encasingsections being attached to one another for providing a reversible casepanel assembly, the inner surfacing of the panel assembly-to-holderinterface sections being attached to structure associated with thedevice-holding mechanism for providing an interface panel layer, thereversible panel assembly being pivotal relative to the interface panellayer about a first pivot axis located adjacent interface panel layer,the first and second material portions thereby being selectivelypresentable for displaying the outer case material.
 11. The reversiblecase construction of claim 10 wherein the device-concealing panelassembly comprises an interface structural layer, the interfacestructural layer being attached to the device-holding mechanism and theinner surfacing for connecting the device-concealing panel assembly tothe device-holding mechanism.
 12. The reversible case construction ofclaim 10 wherein the first and second material portions comprisediffering physical properties, the differing physical properties forenabling the user to select a preferred physical property from the groupconsisting of the differing physical properties for outward presentationof the preferred physical property.
 13. The reversible case constructionof claim 12 wherein the first and second material portions comprisediffering visual properties, the differing visual properties forenabling the user to select a preferred visual property from the groupconsisting of the differing visual properties for outward presentationof the preferred visual property.
 14. The reversible case constructionof claim 10 wherein the panel assembly-to-holder interface sectionscomprise an interface magnetic material layer and the device-encasingsections comprise an encasing magnetic material layer, the interface andencasing magnetic material layers being substantially parallel andopposed and magnetically attractive to one another when the reversiblecase construction is in a closed configuration for enhancing the closedcondition of the reversible case construction.
 15. The reversible caseconstruction of claim 14 wherein the interface-cover sections comprise acover magnetic material layer, the cover and interface magnetic materiallayers being substantially parallel, opposed, and magneticallyattractive to one another for enhancing the closed condition.
 16. Thereversible case construction of claim 15 wherein select magneticmaterial layers are embedded within the first and second materialportions, the select magnetic material layers being selected from thegroup consisting of the interface, device-encasing and cover magneticmaterial layers, the select magnetic material layers being so embeddedfor enhancing the visual appeal of the reversible case construction. 17.The reversible case construction of claim 10 wherein the device-encasingsections comprise first and second panel sections, the second panelsections being pivotal relative to the first panel sections about asecond pivot axis extending intermediate the first and second panelsections, the first and second panel sections for forming basal supportfor the device-holding mechanism and for enabling the user to supportthe device-holding mechanism in an oblique orientation relative to thefirst panel sections when the reversible case construction is in an openconfiguration.
 18. The reversible case construction of claim 10 whereinthe interface-cover sections are pivotally attached to the panelassembly-to-holder interface sections at opposed attachment pointsopposite an interface section aperture, the interface section aperturefor accommodating a rotation mechanism, the rotation mechanism rotatablyconnecting the device-holding mechanism to the panel assembly-to-holderinterface sections.
 19. A reversible case construction for encasing anelectronic device and selectively displaying an outer case material, thereversible case construction comprising: device-holding means forholding an electronic device; and a reversible panel assembly, thereversible panel assembly comprising first and second material portions,the first and second material portions each comprising inner surfacing,outer surfacing, an interface-cover section and a device-encasingsection, the inner surfacing of the interface-cover sections anddevice-encasing sections being attached to one another, the reversiblepanel assembly being pivotal relative to the device-holding means abouta first pivot axis, the first and second material portions thereby beingselectively presentable for displaying the outer case material.
 20. Thereversible case construction of claim 19 wherein the reversible panelassembly comprises a panel assembly-to-holder interface layer, the innersurfacing of the panel assembly-to-holder interface sections beingattached to structure associated with the device-holding means.